All tablets.

SAA 04 089. Should Prince Assurbanipal Send a Message to Arwad? (AGS 066) [military and political]

(1) [Ša]maš, great lord, give me a f[irm positive answer] to what I am as[king you]! (2) Should Assurbanipal, son of Esar[haddon, king of Assyria], send Nabû-šarru-uṣur, the rab mūgi, to Ikkalû, who dwells in the city Arwad? (4) If he sends him, will Ikkalû listen to and comply with the message which [Assurbani]pal is sen[ding] to Ikkalû by the hand of Nabû-šarru-uṣur, the rab mūgi? (6) Does your great divinity know it? Is it decreed and confirmed in a favorable case, by the command of your great divinity, Šamaš, great lord? Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it? (8)…

~675 BCE·Neo-AssyrianSAA 4

SAA 04 090. Should Prince Assurbanipal Send Nabu-šarru-uṣur to Egypt? (AGS 067) [military and political]

(1) [Šam]aš, great lord, give me a firm positive answer to what I am asking you! (2) [Should Assur]banipal, son of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, [send Nabû-šarru-uṣu]r, rab mūgi, to Egypt, as he wishes, and [should he g]o? If he goes, will he successfully carry out whatever oral orders [Assur]banipal is giving to him? (7) Does your great divinity know it? Is it decreed and confirmed in a favorable case, by the command of your great divinity, [Šamaš], great lord? Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it? (10) [Disregard] the (formulation) of today's case, be it good, be it…

Religion & Myth·Astronomy & Mathematics

SAA 04 092. Fragment Referring to Cyprus (AGS 064) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord], give me a [firm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [Will NN ...... along with the crew] of the boat with him, [who] grasped [the feet of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, whom Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, concluded a t]reaty with (and) entrusted [with ......], (6) [....... R]isiti-Baal, the grandson of Karehi (7) [.......] Zeru-iddina from Cyprus (Break) (r 1) Be present [in this ram, place (in it) a firm positive answer, favorable designs], favorable, propitious omens [by the oracular command of your great divinity], and may I see (them). (r 4) [May (this…

SAA 04 093. Fragment Referring to Cargo Carried in a Ship (AGS 065) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Will they plunder what is] ca[rried in] that ship [......], (and) turn it [into] their [own property]? (3) [Does your great divinity] know it? Is it decreed and confirmed in a favorable case, [by the command of your great divinity, Šamaš, great lord]? Will he who can see, [see it? Will he who can hear, hear it]? (5) [Disregard that] they [may think about it, but turn and ...]. (Break) (r 1) [...] the ship [...] (r 2) [(whether) ... they will plu]nder [it ...] (r 3) [......] great [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 094. Should Esarhaddon Send his Chief of Trade to Capture ...? (PRT 017+) [military and political]

(1) Šamaš, great lord, [give me a firm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) The Chief of Trad[e, together with the men, horses, and army of Esarhaddon], king of Assyria, who [went] to capture [......] — (4) [if he goes] wher[e he wishes ......] (5) in the month [......] (6) or [......] (Break) (r 1) Let them be taken out and [put aside]![I ask you, Šamaš, great lord], whether, should the Chief of Trade, [with the men, horses and army] of Esarhaddon, ki[ng of Assyria, at his disposal go] to where he wishes, (r 5) they will be killed, captured, taken prisoner [......] (r 6)…

SAA 04 095. Fragment Similar to No. 96 (PRT 037) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord, gi]ve me [a firm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [.... NN], chief eunuch (3) [... (whom) your great divinity] knows — (4) [in accordance with the command of your great divinity, Šamaš, great lord, and your favo]rable [decisions, ......] (Break) (r 1) [... the base of the middle 'finger' of the lung] is 'loose.' (r 2) [......] there is an [atrop]hied part. (r 3) [...... Third] extispicy. (r 4) [May (this query) go to your great divinity, O Šamaš, great lord, and may an oracle] be given as an answer.

SAA 04 098. Fragment Similar to No. 96 (PRT 034) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Will Esarhaddon, king of Assyria], be trou[bled and angry? Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it]? (3) Disregard that the subject of [this] query, Ša-Nabû-šû, chief eunuch, [...]. (4) Disregard what [they speak] with their mou[ths, or what they are thinking]. (5) Disregard the (formulation) of the prayer for [today's] case, [be it good, be it faulty]. (6) Disregard that the ram (offered) to [your] divinity [for the performance of the extispicy is deficient or faulty]. (7) Disregard that he who touches the forehead of the sheep [is dressed in his…

SAA 04 099. Fragment Similar to No. 96 (PRT 035) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) will they do [battle ......]? (3) [Is it decreed and confirm]ed [in a favorable case, b]y the command of your great divinity, [Šamaš, great lord]? (5) [Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hea]r it? (6) [Disregard the (formulation) of today's case, be it good, be it fa]ulty. (7) [Disregard that a clean or an unclean person has touched the sacrificial sheep, or] blocked [the way of the sacrificial sheep]. (8) [Disregard that an unclean man or woman has come near the place of the extispicy and made it] unclean. (r 1) [Disregard that an unclean person has…

SAA 04 100. Fragment Similar to No. 96 (AGS 092) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord, gi]ve me a firm positive answer [to what I am ask]ing you! (2) Should [Esarhaddon, kin]g of Assyria, strive and pla[n? Should he send NN with men], horses, and troops, as he wi[shes ......]? (Break) (r 1) [Be present in this ram], place (in it) a firm [positive answ]er, favorable designs, [favorable, propitious omens by the oracular command of your great] divinity, and may I [see] (them). (r 3) May (this query) go [to your great divinity, O Šamaš], great lord, and may an oracle be given as an [answer]. (r 4) [...... The 'str]ength' is absent. The 'path' on the left of…

SAA 04 102. Fragment Similar to No. 101 [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) should he [go] and set up camp before that city, [...]ni, will they, (2) [be it by means of w]ar, or through fri[endliness or peaceful negotiations], [or by means of a tunnel or bre]ach, (or scaling) ladders, or by means of ra[mps or battering-rams], (5) [or through famine, or] by soaking with water, or by a strong weapon, or [......], (7) [or through ..., pr]essure, negligence, lack (of soldiers), or [..., or through any r]use of capturing a city whatever, (8) [capture] that city, [enter that city], conquer that city? (Break) (r 3) (whether) they will capture that ci…

SAA 04 103. Fragment Similar to No. 101 (AGS 079) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [... Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear], hear it? (3) [Disregard the (formulation) of today's case, be it good, be it] faulty. (4) [Disregard that an unclean man or woman has come near the place of the extispicy and made it] unclean. (5) [Disregard that an unclean person has performed] extispicy [in this place]. (6) [Disregard that the ram (offered) to your divinity for the performance of the extispicy is deficient or] faulty. (7) [...... The gall] bladder is present. (8) [......] (9) [......]. The 'weapon'-mark of the 'increment' r[ises] to the left.…

SAA 04 104. Fragment Similar to No. 101 (PRT 072) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Should ..., king of Assyria, send NN], together with [men, horses and troops, to ......]? (2) If [he sends him, will ......] (3) against [......]? (4) Disregard the (formulation) of the pra[yer to god, request to god and goddess]. (5) Disregard the (formulation) of the pray[er for today's case, be it good, be it faulty]. (6) Disregard that [an unclean man or woman has come near] the place of the extispicy [and made it unclean]. (Break) (r 1) [Be present in this ram, place (in it) a firm positive answer, favorable designs, favorable, propitious] omens [by the oracular…

SAA 04 107. Will the Assyrian Army Conquer a City Named on Papyrus? (AGS 094) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [within this stipulated term, should Esarhaddon, king of Assyria], who is no[w intent on ......, (and whom) your great] divinity [knows, ......]? (4) [Will ...... th]at city [......] (5) either through [......] (6) that city [......]? (7) Will the army o[f Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, conquer it]? (8) Will he who can see, see [it? Will he who can hear, hear it? Does your great divinity know it]? (9) Disregard what happens af[ter my stipulated term ......]. (10) Disregard what [they speak] with [(their) mouths, or what they think]. (11) Disregard the (formulation) of…

SAA 04 108. Should Esarhaddon Send an Army to a Destination? (PRT 026) [military and political]

(1) [Šam]aš, great lord, [give me a firm positive answer] to what I am asking y[ou]! (2) [Es]arhaddon, king of Assyria, who now is intent on send[ing to the destin]ation of his preference [the troops and armed forces wh]ich are written in this papyrus, and [placed before your great divinity, and (whom) your great divinity knows] — (5) [in accor]dance with the command of your great divinity, Šam[aš], great lord, and your [favor]able decisions, should the subject of this query, [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria], strive and plan? [Should he send] these troops and armed forces to where he wishes? Is…

Daily Life·Economy

SAA 04 109. Fragment Similar to no. 108 (PRT 093) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [......] at his dis[posal ......] (2) [...... the arm]y of Esarhaddon, [king of Assyria], (3) [......] an attac[k ......] (4) [......] the han[ds of ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 110. Fragment Similar to no. 108 (AGS 091) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord, give me a fi]rm positive answer [to what I am ask]ing you! (2) Should [Esarhaddon, ki]ng of Assyria, strive and plan? (3) [Should he send men, horse]s and troops, as he wishes, [to the dis]trict and the cities written [in] this [pap]yrus, and placed [before] your great [divinity]? Should they go? (8) Is it pleasing [to your gre]at [divinity]? (9) [Is it dec]reed and confirmed [in a favorable case, by the command] of your great divinity, [Šamaš, great lord]? (11) [Disregard the (formulation) of today's case], be it good, be it faulty, (and that) the day is overcast.…

SAA 04 111. Should a Man Named on Papyrus be Sent against ...? (AGS 047) [military and political]

(1) Šamaš, great lord, [give me a firm positive answer] to what I am asking you! (2) Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, who is n[ow intent on sending the person] whose name is written [in this papyrus and placed] before [your great] divinity, [against the cities of ...], and [(whom) your great divinity knows] — (5) in accordance with the command of your gre[at] divinity, [Šamaš, great lord, and your favorable decisions], should the subject of this query, [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, strive and plan, and send ...] against the cities of [...? Is it pleasing to your great divinity]? (8) If he, having…

SAA 04 112. Fragment of a Military Query [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [......] words [......] (2) [......] nearby [......] (3) [......] will conquer [... in order to kil]l, plunder, and loot [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 113. Should a Eunuch be Sent to a Destination Named on Papyrus? [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Should Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, strive and plan, and send] the eunuch whose name [is written in this papyrus and placed before your great divinity, to the ...] which [is written] in this papyrus? (3) [If he, having planned], sends him, [......]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 114. Fragment of a Military Query (PRT 032) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (b.e. 1) [Month] Sivan, 16th [day ......]. (b.e. 2) Nadinu and [Tabnî]. (r 1) [I ask] you, [Šamaš, great lord, whether, (should) Assurbanipal, son of] Es[arhaddon, king of Assyria, send ...... together with troops and] ho[rses ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 115. Fragment of a Military Query (PRT 039) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [... will they at]tack (him), and [kill (and) plunder (him)]? [Will Esarhaddon], king of Assyria, be troubled and [angry]? (3) [Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear], hear it? Does your great divinity [know it]? (4) [Disregard that an angry man, or one in dis]tress, [spoke] angrily the words of his report. (5) [Disregard that enemies sit in am]bush [on his right and left]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 116. Fragment of a Military Query (AGS 028) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [o]r in the days [......] (2) [o]r [will] a strong enemy [attack NN, and the men, horses] and army at [his] disposal, and kill (and) plunde[r (them)? Will Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, be trou]bled and angry? (5) [Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it? Does your great divinity know it]? (6) [Disregard that] the enemy's army (may) arriv[e ...]. (7) [Disregard what] they speak with (their) mouths [or what they think]. (8) [Disregard the (formulation) of the pr]ayer for today's case, be it [good, be it faulty]. (r 1) [Disregard that he who touches the…

SAA 04 117. Fragment of a Military Query (AGS 082) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [or a str]ong [enemy ...] agai[nst ...] (Break) (r 1) [Disregard that he who touches the forehead of the sheep is dressed in his ordinary soiled garmen]ts. (r 2) [Disregard that the orac]ular query has be[come jumbled in the mouth of the haruspex, your servant].[Let them be taken out and put aside]! (r 3) [I as]k you, [Šamaš, great lord, (r 4) whether ...] or [...... or a str]ong enemy will [att]ack [NN and the army of Esarhaddon, ki]ng of Assyria, (r 7) [kill (and) plunder them, (and whether) Esar]haddon, [king of Assyria, will be troubled and angry]. (Rest destroyed…

SAA 04 119. Fragment of a Military Query (AGS 027) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [will ... attack the army of Esarhad]don, king of [Assyria]? (2) [Will Esarhad]don, king of Assyria, be trou[bled and angry]? (3) [Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it]? Does your grea[t divinity know it]? (4) [Disregard what happens after my] stip[ulated term]. (5) [Disregard what they speak with their mouths] or what they think. (Break) (r 1) [Disregard the (formulation) of the prayer for t]oday's [case], be it [good, be it faulty]. (r 2) [Disregard that the ram (offered) to yo]ur [divinity] for the performance of the extispicy [is deficient…

SAA 04 120. Fragment of a Military Query (PRT 063) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...... of] Assyria? (2) [Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it? Does your gr]eat [divinity] know it? (3) [Disregard what (happens) after] my stip[ulated term]. (4) [Disregard that they th]ink [it over, turn back, and le]ave it. (5) [Disregard that an unclean person] has performed extispicy [in this place]. (r 1) [Disregard that an unclean man or woman has come near the place of the extispicy and made it un]clean. (r 2) [Disregard that the ram (offered) to your divinity for the performance of the extispicy is deficient or fa]ulty. (r 3)…

SAA 04 122. Fragment of a Military Query (AGS 022) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [......] Will he place [......]? (3) [...] Will it be delivered [to him]? (4) [Does your great divinity know it? Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can he]ar, hear it? (5) [Disregard the (formulation) of today's case, be it good, be it fa]ulty. (6) [Disregard that a clean or an unclean person has touched the sacrificial sheep, o]r blocked [the way of the sacrificial sheep]. (7) [Disregard that an unclean man or woman has come near the place of the extispicy and made it un]clean. (r 1) [Disregard that an unclean person has performed extisp]icy [in this place].…

SAA 04 127. Fragment of a Military(?) Query [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [from the ...th day of] this [mon]th, Tammuz (IV) (2) [to the ...th day of] the coming [mon]th, Ab (V) (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 129. Should Esarhaddon Carry out a Written Plan? (AGS 098) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord], give me a firm [positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [Whatever Esarhaddon, king of Assyria], w[rot]e on [this] tablet and placed [before] your [great divini]ty — (4) should he act accor[ding to] this document? (5) Is it pleasing to your great divinity? Is it acceptable to your great divinity? Is it decreed and confirmed in a favorable case, by the command of your great divinity, Šamaš, great lord? Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it? (10) Disreg[ard the (formulation) of] today's [case], be it good, be it faulty. (11) Disreg[ard that a…

SAA 04 130. Should Esarhaddon Carry out a Plan Written on Papyrus? (AGS 097+) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord, give me a fi]rm positive answer to what I am asking you! (2) [Should Esarhad]don, king of Assyria, [plan whatever] is written [in] this [pa]pyrus and [placed] before [your great] divinity, and do accordingly? (5) Is it pleasing to your great divinity? Is it ac[ceptable] to your great divinity? Does your great divinity kn[ow it]? (8) [Is it dec]reed and [con]firmed in a favorable case, by the command of your great divinity, Šamaš, [great] lo[rd]? Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, [hear it]? (10) [Disregard the (formulation) of] today's case, be it good…

SAA 04 131. Fragment Similar to No. 130 (AGS 134) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord], give me a [fir]m positive ans[wer to what I am asking] you! (2) [Will Esarhaddon, king of] Assyria, [accom]plish [the things that] are written [in th]is papy[rus] and placed [before your great divinity]? (Break) (r 1) [Be present in this ram, place (in it) a firm positive answer, favorable designs, favorable, propitious omens by the oracular command of your great divinity, and may I] see (them). (r 2) [......] faces the base of the 'finger.' (r 3) [...... in] front of the left 'mass' there is an additional vertebra. (r 4) [......]. There are 2 'well-beings' placed in…

SAA 04 133. Fragment Similar to No. 132 (PRT 058) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [... Will it be carried out s]uccessfully? (2) [Does your great divinity] know it? (3) [Is it decreed] and confirmed in a favorable case, b[y the command of your] great [divinity], Šamaš, great lord? [Will he who can s]ee, see it? [Will he who ca]n hear, hear it? (5) [Disre]gard that the ram (offered) to [your] divinity for the performance of the extispicy is deficient or faulty. (Break) (r 1) Be present [in this ram, place (in it) a firm positive answer, favorable designs], favorable, propitious omens by the oracular [command] of your great [divini]ty, [and may I see…

SAA 04 134. Fragment Similar to No. 132 (PRT 057) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Will whatever is written in this papyrus and placed] before [your great] divinity [be] successfully [accomplished]? (3) [Does] your great divinity [know it? Is it decreed and confirmed] in a favorable case, b[y the command of your great divinity], Šamaš, great lord? Will he who can see, see it? [Will he who can hear, hear it]? (7) Disregard that the ram (offered) [to your divinity for the performance of the extispicy is deficient or faulty]. (Break) (r 1) [Disregard that] I, [the haruspex your servant, am dressed in my ordinary] soiled [garments], have s[een fear]…

SAA 04 135. Fragment Similar to No. 132 [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Will whatever is written in this papyrus] and placed [before] your great [divinity be successfully] accomplished? (3') (Break) (r 1) [.....] within [...] (r 2) [......] much [...] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 136. Fragment Similar to No. 132 (AGS 086) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (r 1) [Disregard that he who touches the forehead of the sheep is dressed in] his ordinary soiled garments, has eaten, drunk, (or) anointed himself with [anything unclean, (or) has altered] or changed [the proceedings]. (r 4) [Disregard that I, the] haruspex your servant, [am dressed in] my ordinary [soiled] garments, have s[een f]ear and terror [at night, or have] jumbled [the oracle query in my mouth].Let them be taken out [and put aside]! (r 7) [I ask you, Šamaš, great lord], whether the th[ings written on this papyrus and placed] before your great divinity [will be…

SAA 04 138. Fragment Similar to No. 132 (PRT 065) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...... which he wro]te [in th]is [papyrus and placed before your great divinity]? (2) Is it decr[eed and confirmed in] a favorable case, by the com[mand of your great divinity, Šamaš], great lord? [Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it]? (4) [Disregard the (formulation) of the prayer for] today's case, [be it good, be it faulty]. (5) [Disregard that a clean or an] unclean person [has touched] the sacrificial sheep, [or blocked the way of the sacrificial sheep]. (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 139. Will There Be a Rebellion against Esarhaddon? (AGS 108) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord, give me a firm positive answer] to what I am asking you! (2) [From this day], the 6th day of this month, the month Ad[ar (XII), to the 5th day of the month Sivan (III) of the coming year], [for 90 day]s and nights, my stipulated term — [within this stipulated term], (4) [will (any of) the] eunuchs and the bearded (officials), [the king's] entourage, [or senior members of the royal line, or] junior members of the royal line, or any relative of the king [whosoever], (6) [or the prefect]s, or the recruitment officers and te[am] comma[nders, or the royal bo]dyguard, or…

SAA 04 141. Fragment Similar to No. 139 (AGS 110+) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) or i[n ......], (2) or in [......], (3) [will they instigate] insurrection and rebellion against [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria], (or) act [with evil intent] against him? [Does your great divinity know it]? (5) Is the instigating of insurrection and rebellion against [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, decreed and confirmed i]n a favorable case, by the command of [your great] divinity, [Šamaš, great lord]? (7) [Will he who can se]e, see it? [Will he who can hear], hear it? (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 143. Will NN Make a Rebellion against Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal? [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...... re]bellion of Assyria (2) [......? Is the instigation of insurrection] and rebellion, [by the man whose name is] written [in this papyrus, against Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, and Assurbani]pal, the crown prince of the Succession Palace, (5) [decreed and confirmed in a favorable case, by the command of your great divinity, Šamaš], great lord? [Has he who can see, seen it? Has he who can hear], heard it? (r 1) [Disregard the (formulation) of today's case, be it good, be it fa]ulty. (r 2) [Disregard that a clean or unclean person has touched the sacrificial…

SAA 04 144. Fragment Similar to No. 139 (AGS 109) [military and political]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord, gi]ve me [a firm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [From the ...th day of this month ..., to the ...th day of the month ... of] this [year, for ... days and nights, my stipulated term — (3) within this stipulated term, will (any of) the] magnates (and) governors, [or (any) of the eunuchs (and) the bearded (officials), the king's entourage, o]r any among senior members of the royal line (5) [or junior members of the royal line, or the prefects, the recruitment officers (and) the team commanders, or] the chariot drivers (and) the 'third men,' (or) the chariot…

SAA 04 145. Fragment Similar to No. 139 [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [or jun]ior members of the royal [line], or [the king's relatives], (2) [or the] eunuchs, recruitment officers (and) te[am] command[ers], (3) [or] the royal chariot men (and) [...] chariot men, (4) [or] the staff-bearers, guards (and) [...] (5) [or] the mounted scouts, trackers (and) [...], (6) [or] the Assyrians, or the Arameans, [or the ...], (7) [o]r the Egyptians, [Nubians (and) ...], (8) [the auxili]ary troops of the Ya[......], (9) [or] the men [who are their accomplices and confederates], (10) [or] th[eir brothers ......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 146. Fragment Similar to No. 139 [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [...] or the [......] (2) [... or] the chariot men of [the king ......] (3) [... or] the keepers of [the outer gates ...] (4) [... or] the [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 147. Fragment Similar to No. 139 (ADD 0555) [military and political]

(Beginning destroyed) (2) [......] or among [......] (3) [......] or the ex[empted ......] (4) [......] or the chariot men [......] (5) [......] or the kee[pers of ... gates] (6) [...... the attendants of the m]ule [stables ......] (7) [...... the Hitt]ites [......] (Rest destroyed)

SAA 04 148. Can Esarhaddon Leave Calah Safely? (AGS 111) [military and political]

(1) Šamaš, great lord, [give me a firm positive answer to what I am asking you]! (2) [Should] Esarhaddon, [king of Assyria, strive and plan], leave the city of Calah, [and go to ...]? (4) If he goes as long as [he is away, will (any of) the magnates and governors], or (any) of the se[nior] members of the royal family, [or (any) of the junior members of the royal line], (6) or the king's eunuchs, or [the bearded (officials), the king's entourage], (7) [o]r the Aramea[ns ......], (8) [or] the adjut[ant ......] (Break) (r 2) The to[p of the] left [su]rface of the 'finger' is sp[lit ......]. (r 3)…

SAA 04 150. Should Esarhaddon Appoint NN as ‘Bishop’? (AGS 131) [appointment]

(1) [Šamaš], great [lo]rd, [give me a firm positive answer] to what I am as[king you]! (2) [Should Esarhaddon appoint the man whose] name [is written] in [this] pa[pyrus and placed] before your [great] divinity, to the office of 'bishop' i[n ...]? (4) [If he appoints him, will he remain loyal] to Esarh[addon, king of Assyria]? Will he remain [loyal] to [Assurbanipal, the crown prince of the Succession Palace? Will he guard] the interests of Esar[haddon, king of Assyria]? (8) Does your great divinity kn[ow it? Is it decreed and confirmed in a favorable case, by the command of your great…

SAA 04 151. Should Esarhaddon Appoint NN to the Service of Lady Niq’a? (AGS 130) [appointment]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [Should] Esar[haddon, king of Assyria, appoint him to the position] which [is written] in [this] pap[yrus]? (3) If he appo[ints him, as long as he holds this position], (4) will he love [him? ......] (5) Will he [abstain] from sedition [and rebellion ......]? (6) Will he guard lady Niq'a [like his own self ......]? (8) Does your great divinity [know it? Is it decreed and confirmed in a favorable case, by the command of your great divinity], Šamaš, great lord? [Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it]? (10) Disregard the (formulation) of today's…

SAA 04 152. Should Esarhaddon Admit NN to his Entourage? (AGS 046+) [appointment]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord], giv[e me] a firm positive answer to what I am asking you! (2) [Esarhad]don, king of Assyria, who has now written the name of a man of his choosing [in the papy]rus and [placed it] before your gre[at] divinity, and (whom) your great divinity [knows] — (5) [in accordance with the com]mand of your great divinity, Šamaš, great lord, and [your favorable dec]isions, should [the subject of th]is [query], Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, [strive and plan]? (7) Should he bring [that man] (before him) and take him into his entourage? [Is it pleasing to your great divi]nity? (8) [If…

SAA 04 153. Fragment Similar to No. 151 (AGS 121) [appointment]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) [... will he instigate an insurrection and rebellion] against [Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, or make common] cau[se with his enemy? Does] yo[ur great di]vinity [know it]? (4) Is it decreed [and confirmed in a favorable case], by the command [of your great divinity, Šamaš, great lord? Will he who can see, see it? Will he who can hear, hear it]? (Break) (r 1) Let them be taken [out and put aside]![I ask you, Šamaš, great lord, whether, (should) Esar]haddon, king [of Assyria], appoint the man whose name is written in [this papyrus and placed before your great divinity, to…

SAA 04 154. Should Esarhaddon Take NN into his Entourage? (AGS 115) [appointment]

(1) [Šamaš, great lord, give me] a firm positive answer [to what I am asking yo]u! (2) Should Esarhaddon take the [ma]n whose n[ame] is writ[ten in] this papyrus and pla[ced be]fore your great divinity, into his entourage? (5) While he is in the entourage of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, will he plan [something b]ad, an evil plan of sedition, rebellion (and) insur[rection, ag]ainst Esarhaddon, king of Assyria? (8) Will he instigate it, or cause others to instigate it? Will he order it, or cause others to order it? Will he plot it, or cause others to plot (or) undertake it, [or will he turn to]…

SAA 04 155. Fragment Similar to No. 154 (AGS 124) [appointment]

(Beginning destroyed) (1) Or [will someone cause him to plot it, and will he listen, and] set [out on disobedience? Or will he act with evil intent against him]? (Break) (r 1) Disreg[ard that ......]. (r 2) Disregard that [I, the haruspex your servant, have jumbled the oracle query in my mouth, or changed (or) altered] the pro[ceedings.Let them be taken out and put aside]! (r 4) I ask you, [Šamaš, great lord], whether, (should) Esarhaddon, [king of Assyria, admit the man whose name is writ]ten [in] this [papyrus and placed before your great divinity, into his entourage], (r 7) [he will…

SAA 04 156. Should Esarhaddon Appoint NN to an Office? (AGS 116+) [appointment]

(1) Šamaš, great lord, give me a firm positive answer to what I am asking you! (2) Should Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, appoint [the ma]n whose name is written in this papyrus and placed before your great divinity, [to the po]sition which is written in [th]is papyrus? (5) If he appoints him, [as] long as he holds this position, will he instigate an insurrection and rebellion against Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, and [Assu]rbanipal, the crown prince of the Succession Palace? (9) Will he cause others to instigate it? Will he order it, or cause others to [or]der it? Will he plot it (or) cause…